Needs of female outpatients with alcohol use disorder: data from an Italian study

• Published in: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford) Vol. 59; no. 5
• Main Authors: Vignoli, Teo, Staccioli, Maria Caterina, Salaris, Maristella, Sanchini, Samantha, Martino, Elisa, Rigoli, Lorena, Salis, Francesco, Caputo, Fabio, Fattore, Liana, Agabio, Roberta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 21.07.2024
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Alcoholism - epidemiology; Alcoholism - psychology; Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Anxiety Disorders - psychology; Female; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mood Disorders - epidemiology; Mood Disorders - psychology; Outpatients; Prevalence; Sex Factors; Violence - psychology; Violence - statistics & numerical data; Italy; trauma; alcohol use disorder; sex/gender differences; treatment services; women; violence
• ISSN: 0735-0414; 1464-3502; 1464-3502
• DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agae054

Abstract Aims Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common mental disorder characterized by sex-gender differences (SGDs). The present study was aimed at evaluating attitudes displayed by Italian AUD treatment services towards investigating the presence of SGDs in their patients and implementing gender-specific treatments for female AUD patients. Methods Potential SGDs were initially investigated in a sample of AUD outpatients, subsequently followed by a national survey on the adoption of specific interventions for female AUD outpatients. Results The presence of SGDs was confirmed in a sample of 525 (332 men; 193 women) AUD outpatients, including a higher prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders, and episodes of violence and trauma among female AUD outpatients compared to males. Despite the presence of these SGDs, only <20% of a total of 217 Italian AUD treatment services reported the implementation of specific strategies for female AUD outpatients. The majority of services (94%) reported investigating episodes of violence and/or trauma, largely resorting to specific procedures only when these issues were detected. Conclusions Our findings confirm the presence of SGDs among AUD outpatients, including a higher prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders and episodes of violence and trauma among females compared with males. However, only a small number of services have adopted a gender medicine approach in AUD treatment. These results underline the urgency of investigating the specific needs of female, male, and non-binary AUD patients in order to personalize and enhance the effectiveness and appeal of AUD treatment. Short Summary: Women with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may display specific needs (e.g. possibility to receive psychiatric treatment in the same AUD service; implementation of specific plans for patients reporting episodes of trauma and violence). Nevertheless, <20% of our sample of Italian services reported applying specific strategies for female AUD outpatients.